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City approves interim plan to run airport

The Covington City Council unanimously approved an airport plan that calls for the city to hire three employees, buy around $20,000 worth of equipment and increase its liability insurance to cover operating the airport.

A full-time ground operations manager and two-part time employees will be hired to operate the airport on a temporary basis, until the city decides on the future of the Covington Airport Authority.

The workers will be temporary, contracted employees. The manager is expected to be paid a rate consistent with a $40,000 annual salary, while the part-time employees will be paid $11 to $12 per hour, said Personnel Director Ronnie Cowan. The jobs will probably be posted next week, and will take about a month to fill, he said.

In addition, Airport Engineer Vincent Passariello, who was hired in August, will continue to supervise the airport in a managerial role, he said.

Earlier this year, legislation was passed by the state to allow an authority to be formed, but the city has not appointed any members.

Various equipment, supplies and services would cost around $20,000, including a tug to pull airplanes, a battery cart to help planes start their engines, uniforms for new employees, office supplies and furniture, according to a memo by Passariello. Finally, the city will have to pay an additional $4,500 for an additional $2 million of liability insurance to cover its new operational role at the airport.